1 Jun 2011 | Index Index, minipost
A number of Georgian journalists claim they were attacked by a Special Forces police unit who broke up a protest on 26 May. Officers surrounded them and inflicted verbal and physical abuse while removing video equipment and making arrests. A number of journalists were detained for several hours. Beka Sivsivadze, from the independent newspaper, Asaval-Dasavali, claimed: “I told them that we were the journalists but they beat us harder when they heard it.”
11 Nov 2010 | Index Index, minipost
A teacher from the UK is suing Georgian media for libel. Thomas Fletcher says journalists have spread false information about him by publishing his photos from Facebook under the headline “Sexual games of Thomas and his friends”. Fletcher is participating in a two-year program run by the Georgian ministry of education “Teach and Learn with Georgia” which started on March 1, teaching English in the country. Minister of education and science Dimitry Shashkin said he personally apologized to the insulted teacher.
26 Oct 2010 | Index Index, minipost
A local politician and and chairman of an agricultural commission is suing journalist Ilia Martkoplishvili for degrading his honor. Gela Tetrauli requests 10,000 GEL as a compensation for moral damage. Tetrauli claims the journalist erroneously blamed him for misuse of budget funds.” Martkopishvili claim the official’s accusations are unjustified.
14 May 2010 | Events
Friday, 14th May: EPIC Short Films presents… Georgian Film Night
English PEN, Index on Censorship are proud to present EPIC SHORT FILMS at the Free Word Centre, these events explore censorship and freedom of expression in independent filmmaking.
To launch the series, we are holding a Georgian Film Night, screening for the first time in UK, five short films made by professional and citizen journalists, telling intimate and personal stories about daily life, conflict and dreams in Georgia.
The films are produced by Eyewitness Studios, part of a new media initiative the Go Group Media, set up by Margharita Akhvlediani who aims to get real life stories into Georgian TV programming that is otherwise unrepresentative, swamped by propaganda and imported viewing.
Margarita Akhvlediani, director of Go Group will lead a Q&A session after the films.
For the second part of the evening Tabuni, a London based ensemble singing Georgian folk songs and chants, lead by Tamta Turmanidze, will perform a short programme of songs, accompanied by wine and kachapuri (traditional Georgian cheese bread).
Entrance is FREE though there will be a charge for wine and kachapuri.
For more information on this event and other future EPIC Short Film nights, please visit the official website.
To book your place at the forthcoming Georgian Film Night, please email [email protected] or call 020 7324 2570
